Media Smarts
The Newspaper Front Page
Hot off the presses! A perfect instructional activity idea for a journalism class or even a language arts class looking to incorporate some informational texts. Young writers analyze the front pages of various newspapers to determine the...
Media Smarts
Online Propaganda and the Proliferation of Hate
After thoroughly examining the purposes and techniques of propaganda, your class will create and curate a Propaganda Museum to display and deconstruct original works of propaganda. Materials include propaganda techniques vocabulary, a...
Curated OER
Phenomenology Lesson Plan #1
Students approach media with a phenomenological criticism. They recongize biases that they have and where they have come from. They also identify biases in professional work.
Curated OER
Phenomenology Lesson Plan #5: Character Part 2
High schoolers examine the meaning of the word icon as it relates to media and pop culture. They watch and discuss film clips, write a mini-biography, take a Film Icon Quote quiz, and write a written response to the film clips.
Curated OER
Identifying Linear Functions from Graphs
Keep your mathematicians engaged using this group linear functions activity. Each of ten groups receives two graphs with both an image and equation, as well as a "who has" phrase to call out the next graph. Scholars stay on their toes as...
Curated OER
Spin and Bias in the Media
Students compare different types of media. In this media comparison lesson, students will assess the where all types of media gets its information by viewing a video of a news story and critiquing it.
Curated OER
Exploring Heroism
Students examine the concept of heroism in this instructional activity, through personal reflection, group activities and a thoughtful analysis of the documentary, HEROES OF GROUND ZERO. They explore their own understanding of what it...
Curated OER
Same As
Explore the concept of the equals symbol. In this mathematical symbols lesson, learners discover the meaning of the equals sign (symbol). They also construct addition and subtraction sentences to understand the concept of equal parts.
Curated OER
Magazine Production
Analyze magazines as a class, looking carefully for the target audience, advertisements, and topics presented. Small groups then work as a publication team and receive a magazine that they have to "sell." Each individual has a different...
Curated OER
Artist Trading Cards: Sharing Unique Perspectives
Young scholars examine inkblot images. In this visual arts instructional activity, students consider perception as an element of art as they partipate in activity that requires them create and analyze inkblot art. Young scholars analyze...
Curated OER
Peer Review and Collaboration Using Chat Tools and /or Voice Recorders
Students use audio devices to record a text and have a peer edit it. In this peer review and collaboration lesson, students write a short text on a topic provided by the teacher. After recording their text the message is sent to a peer...
Curated OER
Marbling A La Haring
Students create a paper marbling painting based on the work done by Keith Haring. In this paper marbling lesson plan, students create abstract compositions and create a small mural with one another of their interlocking shapes.
Curated OER
Television News
Different media sources portray news in a variety of ways. In groups of three, learners look at different news sources, bringing in all the findings the next day. Three handouts help scholars compare sources, define specific terms used...
University of California
Containing Communism Abroad
Learn more about the policy of the United States to contain communism during the Cold War. The fifth installment of an eight-part series looks at primary and secondary materials about a challenging time in history. After analyzing the...
Curated OER
Video Game Violence: Explore Possible Impacts
Introduce middle schoolers to the issue of video game violence with a multifaceted approach. Learners complete a gaming survey, as well as read and discuss a news feature about violent video game sales and a handout on stimulus...
Curated OER
Circle Sculpture
Middle schoolers discover the Theatre of the Oppressed. In this diversity lesson, students practice confronting injustice as they participate in "circle sculpture" to role play performance models that deal with social justice issues....
Curated OER
Journalism with Natalie Moore
Learners analyze journalism in the 21st century. In this journalism lesson, students read about Natalie Moore and the changing field of journalism by completing the activities in the packet.
Curated OER
Creating Your Own Ad
Students analyze the effective advertisements in print and Internet ads. In this advertisements lesson, students create a collage of original and repurposed words, graphics, and images of advertisements. Students create a poster for the...
Curated OER
Hearts and Partners
Tenth graders explore, examine and study poetry within a variety of different strategies within this lesson. They review and discuss a diagram of the big picture of why it's importance to study, analyze and deconstruct poetry, so that...
Curated OER
Hard Times
High schoolers take part in a lesson plan that demonstrates a learning cycle and can be applied to the practice of teaching in general. They prepare for learning, agree on learning outcomes, receive new information, construct new...
Curated OER
Journeying to Create
Show a video clip that descripes how taking a journey can change a person's outlook on life. Learners write a paragraph about a place that uses imagery and tone to create a specfic effect. They evaluate their journal entries as well.
American Press Institute
High Five: Media Literacy and Newspapers
Teach the five different types of media with the first of three in a media literacy unit. Learners create and propose a final newspaper project, which must address information covered throughout the unit.
Curated OER
Flip flops....In the style of.....
Students create a pair of flip flops. Using the internet, they become familiar with the work of a specific artist and make their flip flops in the same design. They write a report on the information they gather about the artist and...
Curated OER
Gold Rush in Photos
Learners examine historical images of the Alaskan Gold Rush and complete a worksheet to better explain this era. They create a PowerPoint related to the images.